On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire and Hunter Gros sit down with Leslie Reid, Vice President of Defense Programs at iWorks Corporation and former Senior Advisor at DCSA, for an inside look at one of the federal government’s most ambitious modernization efforts.

Drawing on her experience leading through the evolution of the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) and Trusted Workforce 2.0, Leslie shares why modernizing government technology is far more than replacing legacy systems. The conversation explores the challenge of translating policy into technology requirements, why strong workflow design matters more than simply adding AI, and how identity data and continuous vetting are reshaping the future of personnel security.

Leslie also reflects on her transition from government to industry, explaining how understanding customer pain points drives better technology solutions, why “innovation theater” often stalls meaningful progress, and what it takes to bridge the gap between operational expertise and technical implementation. Whether you’re navigating government modernization, developing AI-enabled solutions, or supporting federal missions, this episode offers practical lessons from someone who has worked on both sides of the table.

To connect with Leslie visit her on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about iWorks Corporation by visiting their website here.

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